Comment on Wine Bill
Photo by David Wilbanks
The Board of County Commissioners will host a joint public meeting with the St. Mary’s County Delegation on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Chesapeake Building Meeting Room in Leonardtown regarding the legislative proposals the Commissioners have received from various sources for inclusion in the 2012 St. Mary’s County Legislative Package. All citizens are encouraged to participate. Staff will provide briefings on the proposals and the public will have an opportunity to provide comments. To date, the following legislative proposals have been received:
1. To revise the membership requirements for the St. Mary’s County Agricultural Advisory Committee to those who are actively pursuing the production of agricultural products for a profit. Currently, members are required to earn 50% of their income from farming.
2. To permit the sale of locally produced Class 4 winery wines at Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) farmers’ markets in St. Mary’s County.
3. Bond Bill in the amount of $323,513 to complete State Highway requirements for the Home Grown Farm Market and for the installation of bathrooms and a commercial kitchen.
4. To clarify when the Redistricting Board is to be appointed.
5. To give St. Mary’s County the authority to create a Property Tax Credit for disabled veterans or a surviving spouse.
6. To allow the Building Trades Foundation, an affiliate of the St. Mary’s County Public School System, to save on the cost of building a house by exempting them from the building impact fee of $4,500.
7. To reduce the taxable income of a physician with military experience who relocates to St. Mary’s County and treats honorably discharged veterans and their families.
8. To increase the public accommodations tax (hotel rental tax) rate from 5% to 7.5% to increase revenue in the County.
9. To exempt St. Mary’s County from the requirement that real property taxes be paid in advance when real property is transferred to the County.
10. To allow St. Mary’s County to collect a sales and use tax on short-term vehicle rentals to increase revenue in the County.
For more information, please contact David Weiskopf, Deputy County Attorney at (301)475-4200, ext. 1700.
